Performance characteristics of a novel ejector-expansion transcritical CO2 refrigeration cycle with gas cooler exergy utilisation

In this paper, a novel configuration of ejector-expansion transcritical CO2 (TRCC) refrigeration cycle was presented. A gas cooler exergy was utilised by a supercritical CO2 power cycle to enhance the performance of the presented cycle. Theoretical analysis on the performance characteristics was carried out for the cycle on the basis of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. A parametric study was also conducted to optimise the performance of plant, under various operating conditions. It was found that the coefficient of performance and second-law efficiency of the presented cycle are on average 7.5-28% higher than those of the conventional ejector-expansion TRCC refrigeration cycle. It was concluded that this cycle could be recognised as a promising refrigeration cycle from the thermodynamic and technical point of views.